Gauntlet Hair

For all the dark tones pulsing through Gauntlet Hair's new album Stills, there is also a guileless affection for the goth industrialists and post-punks who blazed a shadowy path through the 80s and 90s. Recorded during Portland, Oregon's grey winter days in producer Jacob Portrait's (Unknown Mortal Orchestra) appropriately named studio "The Cave," Stills is a modern salute to Trent Reznor and his cohort's arena-ready post-apocalyptica.

The album follows the once-Denver-based band's 2011self-titled debut for Dead Oceans and singles spread across labels like Forest Family and Mexican Summer. After moving back to their hometown of Chicago last year, drummer Craig Nice and singer/guitarist Andy R. looked to their teenage selves for inspiration. "I started listening again to the stuff I would have in my discman in the back of my mom's car," says Nice. "White Zombie, Marilyn Manson -- the production on those records is so amazing. Nothing sounds like that anymore."

Mining childhood nostalgia for inspiration has proved effective. Stills cuts like "Human Nature," "GID" and "Waste Your Art" have the signifiers of industrial and minimal-wave a la British contemporaries The Durutti Column & Joy Division, but all the fluidity and momentum of INXS & Depeche Mode's 80s pop. Here are the dirty, fuzzed out guitars. Here is the guttural groan on "Bad Apple." Here is Seattle grunge's nasal sneer on "Heave." Here are your tinny synths. Here is your stomping back beat. Here is your horror, and your joy.
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We are sad to say that Gauntlet Hair has officially come to an end. Andy and Craig are two powerhouse musicians that we were more than lucky to have and very honored to be a part of our roster. As a band, they created some amazing music and put on some fantastic live performances that will be talked about for years. We are touched, but not surprised, by the fans’ emphatic responses on Facebook and Twitter and would like to echo their thoughts. Although we are sad to see them go, we know they will continue to innovate by creating music that will keep people talking and connect to new fans just like their first two albums with Dead Oceans.

So long and all the best of luck in your future, Craig and Andy, we’re excited to hear what’s next.

Here’s the brand new Gauntlet Hair video for “Human Nature.” The Ryan Ohm-directed video is all dark, eerie vibes. Filmed in Chicago, you’ll recognize many a Windy City site. Watch above or at Consequence of Sound. “Human Nature” is the first single from GH’s Stills, out officially on July 16. You can pre-order the album now at iTunes.

Wait no more! Gauntlet Hair are back with their sophomore album. Titled Stills, the record is officially out in the US on July 16. The album was recorded in Portland, OR at Jacob Portrait’s (of Unknown Mortal Orchestra) The Cave recording studio. Stills touches on Craig and Andy’s childhood listening in both production and style. See what we mean with the first single, “Human Nature” – available for streaming above or at Pitchfork. You’ll find the album artwork and track listing below.